Wow! Wow! It’s been one of those weekends when you discover some not so surprising yet still are shocked and saddened about some of the things that go on in this business of publishing.
On August 26, New York Times posted this article, The Best Book Reviews Money Can Buy which discusses how Todd Rutherford started a very, very lucrative “business” that for a fee – $99 (1 review) , $499 (20 reviews), $999 (50 reviews) –he would get you positive reviews for your book. The article states “Before he knew it, he was taking in $28,000 a month.” The article goes on to name a certain very successful self-published author who used his service.
Now the very notion of buying reviews leaves most of us squirming in our seats. It reeks of something very underhanded and deceptive. Most of us in some shape or form, depend or at the very least, consider reviews when shopping not just for books, but for all sorts of product. The notion of someone buying good reviews for a product that may or may not live up to the consumers expectations is unconscionable, IMO, even if the end result is the consumer being satisfied with what they bought.
But Mr. Rutherford isn’t the first and certainly won’t be last of businesses receiving money for good reviews. Even though others may not be as forthcoming with their rates and the transactions are in form of advertising dollars etc, I’m sure there’s more of it going on than we’ll ever be able to prove. BTW, Mr. Rutherford’s business was a short-lived endeavor, but he’s got ideas and I’m sure we’ll be hearing about him again.
So speaking of reviews, a brouhaha erupted this past week of which I had no inkling of until my sister informed yesterday in the form of a tweet (It was a very, very productive writing weekend and when I’m writing, I don’t stay on top of publishing goings on). Getting back to the brouhaha, it also had to do with reviews and an author’s response to a negative review. Now this issue has been talked about pretty much to death on various blogs, Facebook and Twitter so that’s not what I want to talk about today. I want to talk about fans and how you would react if you discovered your beloved author had done something pretty bad, something that didn’t sit well with you, something that showed a side of them you couldn’t get on board with.
Could an author’s personal behavior cause you to stop purchasing their books? And if so, what kind of things would they have to do?
Isn’t this the modern version of the classic question of can we separate the artist from the art? I think some of us can and some can’t (or don’t want to.) For me personally it would depend on the writer’s behavior. Is it telling a reviewer off or is it giving out reviewer’s home address? Buying reviews may be bad behavior and dishonest but it’s not risking someone’s life so IMO it’s eye-roll worthy but not dead-to-me worthy.
It would depend on what the author did. Some things are worse then others. What I might find unacceptable another reader could be fine with. I would think it would have to be really, really bad for the author to lose all readers. I would of course think less of the author if I found out they paid for a review, but I am not sure if I would stop reading the authors books. It would depend on how much I love the authors writing, but then again if the author wrote great books I wouldn’t think that author would need to pay for a review. I in no way agree with buying a review though. I think it is very dishonest to the readers to do something like that.
Surprisingly, I am not completely shocked by this – a little surprised at how cheaply a favorable review can cost – but not shocked that it happens. I read alot, and alot of those books are self-published because they are (a) relatively inexpensive or free (b) tend to be something different then the cookie cutter model publishing houses put out month-after-month. I will admit that when I see 3-4 really favorable reviews and then several unfavorable reviews, I automatically assume “friends/family” – no I have to start assuming “paid reviews”.
As for your question – it really depends on what the author did. For example, if the author paid for reviews – its going to at some point become quite plain as to whether the book holds itself up or not. An author may have trouble finding normal people to give it 5 star review but surprisingly, most people really have NO PROBLEM giving 1-2 star reviews, especially if they have paid actual money for something that was WAY BELOW expectations. Whereas if the author did something horrendous in their personal life, the chances of me caring/knowing are slim to none.
First off, if I was an author I wouldn’t be paying for a review. A review is a review. If you are unable to get a positive review for free, you might want to change tactics on your writing.
Secondly, the author issue. The author in particular really need to have think skin & just go with the flow. However, that’s not the question. Honestly, I would probably still that persons work if I really loved it. On the other, if author work was something I can live without it, I would quit reading that persons work. Knowing what person did I wouldn’t suggest to buy the book, if they were rottin people. I think I would keep my opinions of the author to myself.
I think that it would depend on what the author did before I could decide whether or not I would still purchase their books.
I would hate to think an author thought so little about her work that she has to PAY someone to say they liked it. But I am not sure that would make me not buy the books, just think less of the author. However, if an author becomes hateful, in words or deeds, not sure I could overcome that enough to buy the books.
Ok. I’ve read this article as well. As like previously mentioned, I don’t think authors should be paying for reviews.
As for the question that you asked…if an author did something that I viewed as unfavorable, yes I will stop buying their books. Responding negatively to a reviewer’s post is not acceptable to me. There are ways for that to be handled but if an author can’t accept someone’s opinions, then why are the writing for the public?
What an interesting question. I’m not very judgmental about personal lives of authors I read, or actresses I view, or athletes I cheer for, etc. I suppose one could commit an act I find so reprehensible, I would walk away. Being convicted of a violent crime, especially against children, would fit.
I view an author complaining about negative reviews as an immature personal reaction. But your example of purchasing reviews goes beyond. This is deceitful management of the specific author/reader relationship that is as professional as any other business dealing. You mean this “silk blouse” isn’t really silk? The car has more than 12,000 miles on it? You really don’t have a medical degree? That’s a big no-no. I don’t want to do business with folks who lie, cheat or steal. So I would not buy their books.
I know reviews have to be taken with a grain of salt. Some contests say up front that they want you to review the book if you win. I won’t enter those because I would feel obligated to give a good review. Some ask after I’ve won and I’m not thrilled. Buying a review is the worst. If I bought the book because of the review I would not be happy about it if I didn’t care for the book. But selling books is a business although I like to put authors on that pedestal 🙂 So far I have only dropped two authors and it was because of some venomous comments (alas political – I have no problem hearing different points of views and can agree to disagree unless they get hateful and ugly). I guess I can’t separate the person from certain behaviors – Mel Gibson is a perfect example. I refuse to contribute to any of his movies and once upon a time he was my favorite actor. Yes, he is still a good actor but I can’t condone what he has said or his actions.
I saw the name Mel Gibson and screeched to a halt. Won’t see anything he’s directed, produced or acts in. He’s a complete and utter embarrassment. Bigot doesn’t even begin to describe the person he really is. Sorry, that was my mini-rant.
I stopped reading an author after they acted like a “mean girl” to a reader who did not like her book. This reader wrote a fair review on Amazon, talking about what didn’t work for her in the story. The author then responded, guns blazing, attacking the reader personally, insulting her intelligence and telling her how she obviously “just didn’t get it”. Please. This juvenile, over the top reaction made me so mad that I swore never to give this author another dime of my money. And I won’t even check her books out from the library.
It depends on what the author did and more importantly dealt with it. Even with my favorite authors I don’t really connect with them online so I wouldn’t know if they did something good, bad or what their daily lives are like. I mainly use their official web sites to check on their releases and other information on their books. I’ve found it’s much nicer when I focus on enjoying books and not on the drama surrounding the book or the author of the book. I’ll appreciate a good book if it is a good book though my view on an author may differ.
If it was a murder or something as horrific that the author did, I would not read their book under any circumstances.
I read reviews of books and often take their advice but I am one of those readers that likes to read. If I start a book and I don’t like it, I don’t finish reading the thing. I recommend to my reading buddies to skip that book and go to a better one.
I think, yes. It would really depend on what the author did. If it was something hateful towards a reader, it would feel personal. If it was their personal opinion about something in the world that I may not agree with , then no. Everyone has their own opinion, but I really dislike it when an author attacks a reader. It’s just not right.
I’m sorry, but I never condone an author (or anyone in their entourage) to attack a reviewer. I know that there have been several authors outed lately for doing this, and I will NEVER pick up one of their books. There is just no excuse for that kind of behavior. Not everyone is going to love everything that you do and if your first instinct is to attack someone that does what kind of message is that sending. I understand that sometimes reviewers write scathing reviews, (and believe me that makes them no better) but I think the author needs to be the bigger person and just ignore them. Not to retaliate.
WARNING, SHORT RANT AHEAD
I automatically take authors who behave badly off my shopping list. I would also counsel other people not to buy their books and why. I’m willing to overlook an author’s personal religious/political beliefs but any dissing of readers (and bloggers/reviewers ARE readers) is a huge deal to me, even more so if name-calling and leading the mob are involved. Look, authors, just as not everyone will like you in real life, not everyone will like your book. I don’t care if you used your own blood to write your manuscript; if it’s not written well, it doesn’t matter how much blood, sweat, tears, and personal deprivation was put into writing it. I don’t believe this “don’t say anything if you can’t say anything nice” view when it comes to books or any other art form. As long as the review is solely about the book, not the author, I don’t see a problem.
As for paying for good reviews, I’m more willing to let that one go, if for no reason than my book reading & buying decisions are not influenced by reviews, except maybe from blogs I know and trust.
I get the sense you know of the incident I speak. Yeah, I can NEVER get on board with behaviour like that. It’s really embarrassing.
Yeah, all I can say is “So This” infinitieh! I agree 100%. I’ve watched the drama play out as I’m a reader and follower of those blogs. It truly made me sick the way the bloggers were treated! I will NEVER buy a book from authors like that. I won’t even waste my time going to the library either! Sadly, this year has been full of non-stop-drama! Sheesh! Paid reviews are SO wrong on SO many levels! It is lying, cheating and gaming the system. Period. All my future purchases comes from the trusted book bloggers I follow. I’m very wary of reviews that do not come from my list of trusted peeps!
It would depend on what the author does. If it is a terrible crime or they attack readers and reviewers, then I would not want to read any of their books.
Luckily, none of the authors that I read have crossed any lines. I did find that one midlist author allowed her politics to excessively influence her blog and some of her books. I no longer read her contemporary series because she always portrays one political party as evil. Nice way to alienate 1/2 the readership.
I think it would depend on what the author did.
I agree with the above ladies, depends on what the author did. Paid for good reviews? Forgivable, as pointed out if it really is well written once people give the book a try it will stand on its own. If the author has shown some ugly colors and gotten up in arms over a bad review, outed a reviewer by releasing personal information online or something of that nature. Yes, that would cause me to black list that author. The review may not have been fair or well written, but if you want to be treated as a professional then you should act like one.
It would depend on what the author did or said. I don’t mind celebrities (authors, singers, actors) being on the opposite political spectrum or religious spectrum as me. (The best thing about the U.S. is that people have freedom of speech, religion, etc.) Their beliefs aren’t going to stop me from watching their movies, listening to their music or reading their books if I truly enjoy them. I’m also not going to freak out if the person gets arrested for a DUI or makes a sex tape (with a consenting adult) or admits s/he is gay or whatever else constitutes a celebrity scandal. I don’t even mind general as*hatery. However, I do draw the line at racist, sexist, homophobic comments, beliefs or behavior. I don’t tolerate accused or convicted child abusers, woman beaters, bullies or animal torturers. It literally makes bile boil in my gut. So folks like R. Kelly, Mel Gibson, and Chris Brown really churn my butter.
I trust the reviews of several blogs that I follow. I do read many others, but have found that these are closest to my taste in reading. I do occasionally read review posted on sites such as Amazon. I am careful about what I believe. I have found some reviews that could very well be purchased ones or those written by friends and family. I have also come across some that are so critical they are not to be believed. I have also found one site that is that way. I read a review of a book that was rated nicely by many of the other sites. This reviewer, however, ripped the book apart. I couldn’t believe that she couldn’t find anything positive to say. I checked her earlier reviews and didn’t find a single positive one.
As for dropping an author for her behavior. Ye,s if they have done something illegal or awful, especially pertaining to children. Ther are a lot of good authors and books out there. I am not going to support someone I strongly disagree with.
I remember an author going on a rant (and for a good reason) I agreed with her rant but I did not like the language she used and she made the word larger and in all caps. I dislike that word with a passion and try never to use it. After that I lost respect for that author and took her off my To Buy list.
It would have to be something very terrible to make me stop reading if I like the books a lot, and I tend to lean more toward forgiving and understanding. Paying for reviews leans toward a biased one I think, one reason I and many others I’m sure online pay attention more to friend’s recommendations and are own inclinations. I pay attention more to particular reader review blogs and a few review sites where I perceive honest opinions are given; still in the end I make up my own mind regardless of which way a review goes and rarely end up with a book I really don’t like at all.
Again depends on what the author did, with that being said I wont buy an authors book who has been known to copy other authors work and pass it off as her own and not thinking that is wrong. Reviews don’t really sway me that much because that is that persons opinion.
I cannot watch Woody Allen anything! I don’t buy “tell all” books by people who have done something I consider shameful and then cash in on the media frenzy with a book. I think with authors not being under public scrutiny as much as actors, it’s hard for us to know what they are like. Mostly I stop buying authors books because they no longer interest me, or they change into something I am no longer interested in. I don’t use facebook or twitter or any other social media, so I don’t see many rants or raves by authors. I am interested in the results an author publishes, and not so much what they like. I can say though, that I think if something an author did was repulsive to me, I would be adverse to helping them finance that behavior by buying their work. And I think paying for a good review IS cheating. But I think that a person who buys a good review is not really an author; he or she is someone who is trying to make money by writing a book and that folks is not an author that’s a person who has a job writing books!
If the author did something really horrible it would probably put me off buying their books.